Caring for an elderly loved one can be stressful and overwhelming at times, and it’s essential for family caregivers in Philadelphia, PA, to take time to care for themselves. The following 4 tips can help you focus on your own health and wellbeing while providing high-quality home care for your loved one.
1. Get Plenty of Rest
Family caregivers often neglect sleep when they are busy managing their many responsibilities, but avoiding rest can be detrimental to your health. Try to stick with a constant bedtime and wake up time if possible. If you’re spending most or all of your nights with your loved one, get assistance from family or a professional caregiver a few days a week so you can rest and get enough sleep to feel refreshed in the morning.
2. Eat Well
Eating nutritious meals will not only boost your own health, but if you’re cooking for your loved one, it can also positively impact his or her health as well. Always check with a doctor before making any changes to your diet, but a menu rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains is usually a good way to increase energy and alertness.
3. Exercise
It’s easy to become exhausted when you’re responsible for the care of a loved one, but exercise can be rejuvenating. Even if you just take a daily walk, exercising frequently can do wonderful things for your body and mind, allowing you to better focus on the Home Care Philadelphia you’re providing for your loved one.
4. Take Time Off
It’s important to have some time for yourself, whether it’s to run personal errands or take an extended vacation. You can hire a professional respite caregiver in Philadelphia to give you a break whenever you need one, and you can also enlist family members or friends to take your place occasionally.
If you’ve found it difficult to balance your caregiving duties with your other important responsibilities, turn to Home Care Assistance. We are a leading provider of respite and 24-hour care in Philadelphia, and our dedicated caregivers are trained to assist seniors with a wide array of essential daily tasks. For more information on our at-home care services, please call (215) 645-4663 to schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced Care Managers.